Voters are broadly concerned about Australia's dependence on the United States, but only about half of readers surveyed said a political party's position on the matter would influence their vote.
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The latest survey of voter sentiment by ACM, the publisher of this masthead, found respondents had strong views about Australia's relations with the US.
Of the more than 2500 readers who completed the survey, 73 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that Australia should invest more in defence in order to strengthen its independence from the US.
Three-quarters of respondents also said they were more concerned about global tensions since Donald Trump was re-elected as US President.
The results come as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton attempt to convince voters they are each better placed than the other to manage the US leader.
Mr Dutton has repeatedly claimed Mr Albanese "cannot get a phone call or a meeting" with Mr Trump, but has also dodged questions about his own ability to work with the US President if elected as prime minister.
It continues to be a fine line for the Opposition Leader to walk, as he faces critcism from Labor leaders over what they say are borrowed policies from the US, including its Musk-style government efficiency role.
Labor voters more concerned about global tensions
ACM's reader survey found a clear contrast between Labor and Liberal voters' views on global tensions.
Of those surveyed, 92 per cent of people who signalled voting intentions for the Labor Party said they were more concerned about global tensions since Donald Trump was re-elected.
In comparison, just 50 per cent of Liberal voters said they were more concerned about global tensions.
Similarly, twice as many Labor voters than Liberal voters were in favour of Australia finding new allies beyond the US.
The survey found 84 per cent of respondents with an intention to vote Labor said Australia should look for new allies and not rely on the US. On the same question, 39 per cent of Liberal voters agreed.
Despite the sentiment, Australia's international relations did not appear to be a major voter influencer for all readers.
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About half (54 per cent) of respondents said a candidate or party's position on Australia's relations with the US would influence their vote at the federal election.
The response was similar across people who intended to vote Labor, Liberals or The Nationals, however far more Greens voters (73 per cent) said a party's position on US-Australia relations would influence their vote.
Dutton announces defence spending boost
Regardless, both Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton continue to take the issue seriously in the final two weeks of election campaigning, and with pre-polling due to begin on April 22.
National security is expected to take centre stage for the Coalition's election push ahead of Anzac Day on Friday.
The Opposition Leader on Wednesday unveiled a $21 billion spending commitment for defence, raising its share of GDP to 2.5 per cent within five years.
Mr Dutton had previously said the funding boost would be "commensurate with the challenges of our times".
ACM's latest reader survey found Mr Dutton had serious work to do to win over young voters and women.
It found less than a quarter of females and fewer than one in five Gen Z voters planned to pick him as their preferred prime minister.
